Mikalai Statkevich: Either Electoral Laws Amendments, Or Square

The precondition for participation of democratic forces in the “parliamentary elections” should become amendment of the electoral legislation.

It has been said in the interview to charter97.org by the leader of the Belarusian opposition, a former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, who commented on the piece of news about forming a new centre right coalition.

Any union of democratic forces is a positive factor, – the politician said. – It is a step forward, it is a good step, but obviously insufficient, as the main point should be not the party ideology, but absence of democracy in the country and existence of the dictatorial regime, which in addition is conducting a treacherous policy against the national interests of the state.

I think there are going to be further positive steps on the path of uniting – no based upon party ideologies, but on a more solid foundation – around the democracy and geopolitical choice of the country, on the foundation of values.

– It is supposed that the new coalition is going to participate in the nearest electoral campaign by creation of a single list of candidates for deputies of the “chamber of representatives” in the “parliamentary elections” – 2016.

– It is necessary to put forward demands of changes in the electoral laws. Otherwise participation in the “elections” looks indecent. It could certainly happen that these demands are not accepted, and the outside pressure would be not enough. Besides, at the latest presidential elections the authorities tested new schemes, including nomination of fake candidates.

– In which way the opposition could respond to these steps of the regime and to falsification of “elections”?

– To my mind, a single bloc should be created. It should be based upon the foundation of European values. The authorities and their European partners should submit demands to amend the Electoral code.

In case these demands are accepted, there is point in running in the elections and work for victory. If the authorities do not consider the requests, and amendments are not passed, the bloc is still to participate in the elections, but they should make preparation for the Square as one of their aims. To my mind, it should become the main objective, as it is the only lever which could help us make the authorities return us elections.

Undoubtedly, it is difficult to reach in the parliamentary elections with the majority election system, when we have 110 constituencies and 110 isolated election campaigns. Only a strong common democratic bloc could tie it in a nation-wide campaign. And then there would be sense to participate in the elections. We are to say: “If our votes are not counted, we are going to the Square.”

Together with foreign pressure is would allow us to change something in the country – at least, the electoral laws.